Friday 3 April 2009

Bright week: for a bright spark

My last bright week post - this time dedicated to my brother. G is a mathematical genius - and has the credentials to prove it.

Have you noticed that people who are brilliant at maths are often very good at music, too? I think it something to do with the patterns in both maths and music. I've even had a conversation about the synergies between math and music with Nitin Sawhney in my local coffee shop. If you don't know who he is, he's a composer - and he used to be an accountant. He told me how he likes to do some kind of ancient Indian mental arithmetic - for fun.

G just sent me a CD for my birthday, of music which he composed using a computer programme that he wrote.

Now, it's fair to say that the music is 'interesting' at best - but I appreciate the effort! I received one last year too, and he's made one for both my niece and nephew to celebrate their births. It cracks me up, as I wouldn't quite say that the music is sophorific for a newborn - but it's the thought that counts.

That's what happens when you've got a mathematical genius in the family. So, in celebration of the bright spark of the family, a round-up of maths-related finds on Etsy. I especially love all the vintage items - in particular the old school books.



1. Pink geometry collage 2. 1946 school book 3. 1940 protractor 4. Calculator notepad 5. Vintage math notebook 6. Flash cards 7. 1880s arithmetic apparatus advert 8. Gas station sign 9. Blackboard coasters 10. Small vintage numbers 11. Typewriter key cufflinks 12. The Maths teacher is in love.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

ohhhh...the flash cards bring back so many memories:)!

blue moss said...

what a fun gift...
i love all the vintage number things!! i have a slight obsession with numbers right now. my favorite number is 129 ...my husband gave me a big locket with the number 9 on it and now i have to find an interesing 1 object and 2 object to make into a necklace :)
thanks for visiting my blog...so glad you did because now i have found yours.
michelle

Grace said...

What a sweet genius brother! I love the products you have picked. My brother is a science genius, and presents from him are always interesting as well :)

Herbert Barry Woodrose said...

This was wonderful. I'm so glad I stopped to read it all the way through. Excellent work.

Here, There, Elsewhere... and more said...

Simply stunning - j'adore :)

Leslie said...

I love all those elements. Yummy!

Maaret said...

really nice finds. I like the typographic elements in these.

Single Lady said...

These are wicked! I really enjoyed browsing your shop. Your work is very inspirational.

Anonymous said...

you've got a great eye for design, the protractors remind of schooldays!

David (JING Tea)

Anna Betts said...

Ooh these look so nice together! Thank you for squeezing my collage in. Your blog is really beautiful, I'm going to explore it properly now...

Josephine said...

yes, i've always found the link between music and math fascinating. love your roundup! may i add this letterpress book to your list?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18498398

it's a poem about pi.